Ducks could split up Souray and Beauchemin

April 29, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 12:28 p.m.

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Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sheldon Souray (44) celebrates with Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin, center, after Beauchemin scored a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 18, 2013, in Anaheim. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) FRE

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sheldon Souray (44) celebrates with Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin, center, after Beauchemin scored a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 18, 2013, in Anaheim. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) FRE

ANAHEIM -- The Ducks appear to be making their first big change before their Western Conference first-round series has even begun.

Sheldon Souray and Francois Beauchemin, who have played together for the majority of the season as the team's top shutdown pair, could be separated for Game 1 against Detroit.

Beauchemin had Cam Fowler as his defense partner during practice Sunday and Monday while Souray was paired with Ben Lovejoy. Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau wouldn't confirm if he'll stay with the same plan against the Red Wings but didn't deny it either.

Souray did say Monday that Lovejoy would be his partner.

"Well, you never what's going to happen tomorrow," Boudreau said. "I've changed on the fly. I'm not going to speculate or say why I'm doing things when it comes to this stage. Whatever we do, there's a reason. We're not just throwing names into a hat and pulling them out.

"We have a thorough process that goes into everything. Trial and error. You hope it works."

The Ducks could be splitting them up in order to use Fowler's better speed and puck-handling with Beauchemin up against Red Wings stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, who figure to start together on the same line.

Performance could be another factor. Fowler is playing his best hockey at the moment with a goal, four assists and a plus-3 rating in his last seven games. Souray is a minus-7 over his last four games played.

Souray sat for two games last week in Edmonton to rest a lower-body injury that has bugged him for a month. He was a season-worst minus-4 in Saturday's loss to Phoenix in the season finale.

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